Canada’s response to the conflict in Syria

The ongoing conflict in Syria has triggered the worst humanitarian crisis in the world today. According to the United Nations, 13.1 million people inside Syria need urgent help, including 6.1 million who are internally displaced. It is estimated that well over 250,000 people have died in the conflict, with hundreds of thousands more wounded. Over 5.5 million Syrians have sought refuge in the neighbouring countries of Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Türkiye. Thousands more have made the harrowing journey to Europe in search of a better life.

Canada has given generously to the various international efforts to support the Syrian people, including those living as refugees in neighboring countries. To date, Canada has committed over $1 billion in humanitarian, development and security assistance in response to the Syria crisis.

In 2016, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Canada's new strategy to address the ongoing crises in Iraq and Syria, including further increases over the next three years to Canada's security, stabilization, humanitarian and development assistance.

Refugee resettlement

The Government of Canada resettled 25,000 Syrian refugees between November 2015 and February 29, 2016. This included government-supported and privately sponsored refugees. Our commitment to resettling Syrian refugees to Canada is continuing in 2016. Find out more about the plan.

Humanitarian assistance

Working through experienced humanitarian partners, Project Browser funding is helping to meet the food, shelter, health, protection and emergency education needs of Syrians affected by the crisis.

Syria Emergency Relief Fund

Between September 2015 and February 2016, Canadians generously donated a total of $31.8 million to the Syria Emergency Relief Fund to support humanitarian relief efforts in response to the conflict in Syria, which the Government of Canada is matching.

• Canada announces final tally of Syria Emergency Relief Fund (April 2016)

Development projects

Canada is supporting Project Browser to help countries in the region cope with the impacts of the crisis in Syria, notably the influx of millions of Syrian refugees, and to address the long-term development challenges facing these countries, in particular through the delivery of basic services, such as education.

Security and stability initiatives

Canada is providing security-related assistance to address the impact of the Syrian crisis, both in Syria and in the region. These funds will help mitigate the threat of chemical weapons and other weapons and materials of mass destruction; assist Jordanian security forces in managing the non-humanitarian aspects of the influx of Syrian refugees, and; contribute to Jordan’s counter-terrorism capacity.